A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Kyoto
Pronounce the capital of Japan like 'key-oh-toe' with the emphasis on the first syllable.
kyoto
KYOH-toh
/ˈkjoʊ.toʊ/ · KYOH · toh
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also common on menus for Japanese restaurants featuring dishes from the region.
Where the word comes from
The name Kyoto (京都) literally means 'capital city' in Japanese, combining the characters for 'capital' (京) and 'city' (都). It was the imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years.
Common ways people get it wrong
- ky-OH-toe Some might stress the second syllable, but the emphasis in English is on the first part, 'KYO'.
- kee-OH-toh The initial 'Kyo' sound is more like 'key-oh' than a distinct 'kee' followed by 'oh'.
Frequently asked
How do you say Kyoto?
Say it like 'KYOH-toh'. The emphasis is on the first syllable, 'KYOH', which sounds similar to 'key-oh'.
Is it pronounced Kee-yoh-toh?
Not quite. The initial sound is closer to 'KYOH' as in 'key-oh' combined, rather than two separate sounds. The stress is on this first syllable.
What does Kyoto mean?
Kyoto's name means 'capital city' in Japanese. It served as the imperial capital of Japan for over a millennium.
